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Now it's NEW Links
IT'S a case of all change at St Annes Old Links Golf Club – both on and off the course.
As alterations to several holes at the course take place, head professional Daniel Webster is delighted to have got the go-ahead for a new 'swing and custom-fit' studio, which helps golfers improve their game by using the latest video technology.
Webster boasted: "There will be nothing quite like it anywhere in the Fylde.
"Other golf clubs have a video analysis studio, where you hit a ball into a net.
"Unfortunately, hitting a ball into a net misses the most vital information, namely the flight of the ball.
"I am having a software system installed that will allow golfers to see the ball-flight on the screen.
"Golfers will hit the ball into an image projected on to the screen, and the software will then plot the ball-flight, like a golf simulator."
Webster added: "The information will help players to understand how 'shaft-flex' and 'lie-angle' of their golf clubs affect the ball flight.
"With the swing analysis software and a superb putting analysis lab, it will be one of the most comprehensive golf swing 'hospitals' in the North."
The swing studio should be operational by Christmas.
Outdoors at Old Links, parts of the course are undergoing a hugely significant, new look, drawing a mixed reaction from members.
There have been alterations to the first hole, which will get people off the tee more quickly and reduce delays, particularly on a busy Saturday.
The mound on the fifth hole has been lowered, giving the majority of members a more straightforward second shot on what is a very tough, par five.
But course officials insist this does not mean that it will be easy, for it brings the out-of-bounds more into play.
The lowering of the mounds on the start of the sixth fairway should see fewer balls lost to the left of the hole.
Mounds on the 11th hole have also been reshaped.
Webster admitted there had been negative as well as positive responses to the changes.
But he maintained: "I have to say that the changes made so far are superb, and will definitely make the course more member-friendly, while still managing to be a very tough championship test for the elite golfers.
"So it's a brilliant compromise.
"The course is now becoming more playable to those that play it every day,and tougher to those that are testing themselves with the best in the country."
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 32 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
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